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This site is now an archive for exhibits at The Backroom Gallery from 2007-2013, at the 16th Street location.

Monday, March 5, 2007

New works by Bert Bergen

Opening reception: Friday March 16 7pm - 10 pm

Show runs through March 16 - April 16

In the main room: Eve Ekman

Music by: Fortune Towerz

Bert Bergen was born on Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound of Washington State.His teen years were spent in Tumwater, Washington engaging in activities such as hunting, fishing and going to see any band playing in the neighboring town of Olympia.

Bert received a BA from the Evergreen State College in 1997 with a focus in photography and gender studies. After college he relocated to San Francisco. Gradually he shifted his focus away from the expensive world of photography, but kept its process orientated discipline of art making.Bert has been in the bands: Lice, the sun, Appreciation, Citay and Ascended Master. Being active in the music community provided a platform for him to develop much of his visual aesthetic and technique in screen-printing, wheat pasting, drawing, painting, sculpture, sewing and ritualistic performances. He designed and manufactured seven cassette, LP and CD release for bands he has been in. Bert has designed and produced posters, t-shirts and clothing for bands such as Om, Six Organs of Admittance, Oneida, Crime In Choir, Von Iva, Zombi, Pelican, DMBQ, Afirampo, Green Milk from the Planet Orange, Earthless, Mammatus, and Jana Hunter.Bert has exhibited at The Lab, New Langton Arts, Triple Base, Quotidian Gallery, Ego Park, The Painted Bird, Hayes Valley Market, Pond Gallery, Soap Gallery, Artscape Baltimore, MD, and Skylab Columbus, OH.

Bert Bergen

Vessels of Acquiessence

As humans our bodies are inferior when dealing with elements that other creatures of this world take with ease. In order to traverse this inability, we create vessels that allow us to exist in other realms that normally would not be possible. If these vessels came to humanity in animal form, what possibilities would exist when we gave up our bodies and entered theirs? This mutually acquiescent relationship would lead to an existence that transgresses the relationships of this world. A new and purely visceral sensuality would be realized. Similar species of the animal bodies that are inhabited would obviously accept us. Our worlds would finally be each others. There would be a greater force visible to us that we could finally communicate with, another entity that could possibly illuminate the reasons for our existence. Humanity would finally have its purpose.

This allegory for the new age of Earth is depicted through sewn drawings (ink and brush drawings that are completed with an embroidery sewing machine) and a two dimensional enameled wood sculpture.